KeyCastr
An open-source macOS keystroke visualizer that shows your key presses on screen during screencasts.
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1 more ways to get KeyCastr
Package managers
- Homebrew
brew install --cask keycastr
About KeyCastr
KeyCastr displays the keys you press as an on-screen overlay, so viewers of a screencast, presentation or pairing session can follow along. You can choose to show only command keys, all modified keys, or every keystroke, and there is an option to include mouse clicks as well.
The visualizer is extensible, so developers can build their own display style on top of KeyCastr. It is distributed through GitHub releases and can also be installed with Homebrew.
Strengths
- Choice of command keys, modified keys or all keystrokes
- Optional display of mouse clicks
- Custom visualizers can be built on top of it
- Installable through Homebrew
Limitations
- macOS only
- Does not record video itself; pair it with a screen recorder
Details
- Pricing
- FreeFree and open source.
- License
- Open source, license not stated
- Developer
- The KeyCastr contributors
- Platforms
- macOS
- How it runs
- Downloadable app
- Account
- Not required
- Works offline
- Yes
- Best suited for
- Mac users recording tutorials or giving live demos who want keystrokes visible
- Categories
- Screen capture
- Last verified
- Added
- Provenance
- Facts checked against the developer's own pages and store listings, 1 sources on file.
Alternatives to KeyCastr
Compare allSoftware that can replace KeyCastr for an important use case, and what changes if you switch.
Keyviz
Show keyboard shortcuts and mouse actions during demonstrations.
Keyviz is free and open source under GPL-3.0 and runs on Windows, macOS and Linux, showing keys and mouse actions, though Linux needs X11 and a source build.
Screenkey
A Linux screencast tool that shows the keys you press on screen while recording.
Screenkey is an open-source keystroke display under GPL-3.0 for Linux only, suited to Linux users rather than Mac users.
Carnac
Show pressed keys during Windows demonstrations and recordings.
Carnac is a free, open-source keystroke display for Windows under MS-PL, so switching means moving from macOS to Windows.
Show Me The Key
Shows the keys you type on screen, a screenkey alternative that works under Wayland.
Show Me The Key is a free Linux keystroke overlay that works under Wayland through libinput, needing elevated permissions and running only on Linux.
Similar software
Related functionality, not necessarily a direct replacement.
Screenflick
A native Mac screen recorder that captures high frame rate video with system audio, webcam and keystrokes.
Movavi Screen Recorder
A desktop screen recorder for Windows and Mac that captures screen, webcam, system audio and voice.
Kap
Open source Mac screen recorder that exports to GIF, MP4 or WebM.
OBS Studio
The standard free tool for recording a screen and for live streaming, built around scenes and sources.
